AI in ASIA
Monday, 19 January 2026

3Before9

3 must-know AI stories before your 9am coffee

Who should pay attention

AI leaders, founders, enterprise decision-makers, and teams deploying AI across Asia.

What changes next

Regulatory expectations tighten, infrastructure buildout accelerates, and enterprise AI governance matures.

1

China opens probe into Meta’s AI startup acquisition

China’s commerce ministry has launched an investigation into Meta’s acquisition of Singapore‑based AI company Manus to determine if it complies with Chinese investment and tech export laws, reflecting rising scrutiny of overseas AI transactions amid US‑China tech competition.

Why it matters for Asia

regulatory pushback on major AI deals could slow cross‑border technology transfer and force global AI firms to navigate tighter controls in Asia’s largest market.^

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2

Nvidia unveils next‑generation AI tech at CES 2026

At CES 2026 Nvidia introduced its Vera Rubin AI chip architecture with significantly improved performance, alongside new autonomous systems and robot integrations showcased across partners including AWS. This comes after news of [Nvidia AI Chip Sales to China Get US Nod](/news/nvidia-ai-chip-sales-to-china-get-us-nod) and [Nvidia's £100m+ AI Startup Investments Revealed](/business/nvidia-s-100m-ai-startup-investments-revealed).

Why it matters for Asia

faster inference and broader ecosystem support could accelerate AI deployment in cloud infrastructure, robotics, and autonomous vehicles in Asia and beyond. For businesses looking to integrate AI, understanding these advancements is crucial, as highlighted in [The AI Vendor Vetting Checklist: What Asian businesses should check before buying AI in 2026](/business/the-ai-vendor-vetting-checklist-what-asian-businesses-should-check-before-buying-ai-in-2026).^

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3

Game publisher rejects generative AI collaborations

Hooded Horse, the studio behind Manor Lords, has said it will not work with developers using generative AI, citing operational complexity and concerns about workflow impacts. This stance reflects a growing debate about [AI 'Slop' Eroding Social Media Experience](/life/ai-slop-eroding-social-media-experience) and its impact on creative industries.

Why it matters for Asia

resistance from parts of the creative and tech industry highlights ongoing debates around productivity, quality and workforce impact of AI tools. This also ties into broader discussions about [AI faces growing opposition over pollution, jobs](/news/ai-faces-growing-opposition-over-pollution-jobs).^

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